Governors unsure about request for help on immigrant kids

To understand the nuanced reaction from the nation’s governors to the federal government’s request for help in housing thousands of undocumented children, look no further than Maryland.

To understand the nuanced reaction from the nation’s governors to the federal government’s request for help in housing thousands of undocumented children, look no further than Maryland.

Gov. Martin O’Malley, a Democrat, warned last week that sending the Central American children home as President Barack Obama suggested could have tragic consequences. The administration angrily responded, accusing him of hypocrisy for opposing its use of a building in his state. O’Malley explained that he feared the children would be unwelcome, a point underscored by a weekend act of vandalism in which the phrases "no illeagles here" and "no undocumented democrats" were spray-painted on the building.

The exchange between the White House and its reliable ally highlight the delicate response many governors have had to the administration’s request: the humanitarian crisis must be handled compassionately, they say, but not without addressing a series of concerns — cost and local resistance among them.

The Washington Post rounded up 10 governors’ media comments.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, Democrat: Limited resources.

Gov. Hickenlooper said this week: "Our citizens already feel burdened by all kinds of challenges. They don’t want to see another burden come into their state," he said. "However we deal with the humanitarian aspects of this, we’ve got to do it in the most cost-effective way possible."

A spokeswoman on Monday told local Fox affiliate KDVR that no official request for help had been made and that the comment was taken out of context—the governor was simply pointing out that there are limited resources.

Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy, Democrat: The facility is not suitable.

The Malloy administration denied a federal request for housing at a facility in the state, saying the building in Southbury is too small and in disrepair: A spokesman also told the Connecticut Mirror that "we don’t currently have the ability to meet this request. What this really speaks to is the absolute necessity for Congress to pass the president’s emergency supplemental request and comprehensive immigration reform."

Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, Democrat: Maybe private groups can help.

Delaware has no facility large enough to house the kids, but private groups may take up the cause, Markell said this week, according to The News Journal.

"I don’t really see the possibility of any state facilities housing these kids," Markell said. "I don’t think that exists. If private organizations choose to do so, that’ll be up to them."

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, Republican: Focus on securing the border.

Gov. Branstad said this week that he didn’t want his state taking on the children.

"The first thing we need to do is secure the border. I do have empathy for these kids," Branstad said, the Associated Press reported. "But I also don’t want to send the signal that [you] send your kids to America illegally. That’s not the right message."

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, Democrat: Not in Carroll County.

"I suggested to them that the location still under consideration in Westminster might not be the most inviting environment for the kids," O’Malley told The Washington Post.

The best solution may be to house the children with relatives in the United States or place them in foster homes or temporary housing, maybe in coordination with churches, he said.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, Democrat: We’ll look into it.

Gov. Patrick said Wednesday that he was exploring options to house some children, The Boston Globe reported.

Federal officials "asked us to focus on larger-capacity places and ones that are able to be secured," a senior Patrick administration official told The Globe. "They’ve also made pretty clear that, given the intense need to address the humanitarian crisis, they’re willing to consider different ideas."

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, Republican: Not a state problem.

In a statement, the governor stressed that it’s the federal government’s job to solve the crisis.

"The health and safety of unaccompanied children (UAC) should be the top priority in this unfortunate situation," he said in a statement provided to Nevada political journalist Jon Ralston, of RalstonReports.com. "That being said, the federal government should not expect states to absorb responsibility and costs of the temporary housing and caring for these children in need. It is my sincere hope the federal government works quickly to develop a comprehensive and thoughtful plan of action to address the needs of these children."

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, Republican: The administration is going about this all wrong.

Gov. Fallin was sharply critical.

"Many of our public schools are already at capacity and need additional funding," Fallin said Wednesday, according to Tulsa World. "Our health-care system is strained as it is. Now, instead of allowing us to address those needs for Oklahomans, President Obama is forcing us to add an unspecified number of illegal immigrants to our public education and public health systems.

Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin, Democrat: We’ll look into it.

Gov. Shumlin said Wednesday he will explore housing.

"We’ve let HHS know that we are willing to investigate locations and logistical requirements and work with them to determine if Vermont would be an appropriate host state for some of the children," Shumlin’s office said in a statement, the Burlington Free Press reported Wednesday night.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Republican: This is a federal problem.

"Obviously, this is a heartbreaking humanitarian issue," Walker spokesperson Jocelyn Webster told the Cap Times. "However, this is a federal issue for which the federal government must find a solution."

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